Muslims welcome abolition, by and large

Charminar: Reactions poured from across the elders of Muslim community in favour of abolition of Haj subsidy announced by the central government on Tuesday. Social and political leaders have approved of its abolition and said that Haj pilgrimage must not be obligated with the travel by Air India.

Minister for Minorities Welfare Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi had announced on Tuesday that central government was withdrawing the Haj subsidy from this year. Many political and social leaders have been pressing for withdrawal of the Haj subsidy for a long time. Most leaders have appreciated the decision.

Jamat e Islami Hind Telangana state president Hamid Mohammed Khan said that abolishment of Haj subsidy was not at all an issue for Muslims of India. He said that there must be open and international bidding for selection of Air Lines for pilgrimage instead of Air India.

He said that pilgrims will go on Haj with the airline which gives cheaper rates.
He further opined that central government should start shipping service to Saudi Arabia so that people who cannot afford air fares would be benefited.

“Most importantly, central government does not have any good work to show as its achievement and hence it is making non-issues heard loudly”, he lamented. “We do not need any subsidy for Haj, rather Air India was sustaining in the name of Haj subsidy for so many years”, he added.

On the other hand some see it as a vendetta of NDA government towards Muslim minorities in the country. MBT leader Amjadullah Khan said that central government was trying to finish every scheme benefiting Muslims in any form.

He said, “If the government is sincere in its claims of removing Haj subsidy it must also allow the pilgrims to choose the airline of their choice. Open tenders should be called from global air lines.”

He sought to know that why only Muslims are singled out and demanded that all religious subsidies must be abolished in the country. He said that NDA government was not at all sincere towards the welfare of Muslim minorities in the country and its allocation for minorities’ budget during past three years was the testimony to this.

Abid Rasool Khan, former chairman Minorities Commission, said that government decisions must not target a particular community. Any reforms must mean for all communities.
“Targeting a particular community would give a wrong signal and it would be dangerous for democracy and harmony in the country”, he said.

When governments can spend so much on arrangements, religious functions of different communities, what concerns it from spending a mere Rs 200 crore.

He further said that if Haj subsidy is removed it must be coupled with removal of Air India monopoly and if it is done the fare charges will come down for the pilgrims.